SC seeks Bengal’s response on plea to shut its Pegasus probe

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the response of the West Bengal government on a plea seeking the winding up of the commission of inquiry it set up headed by retired Justice Madan B. Lokur on the surveillance of journalists, politicians, eminent people and judges. Refusing to stay the proceedings of the two-member commission, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, heading a bench that also comprised Justices Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose, said the plea will be heard along with the batch of petitions seeking a probe into the Pegasus surveillance.

“We will hear this along with other similar matters. Issue notice. List on August 25,” CJI Ramana ordered.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought West Bengal government’s response on a plea seeking the winding up of former top court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur commission of Inquiry that was set-up to inquire into the surveillance of the media persons, politicians, eminent people and the judges of top court.

Refusing to stay the proceedings of the twomember inquiry commission headed by Justice Lokur, Chief Justice N.V.Ramana heading a bench also comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Aniruddha Bose said that that the plea will be heard along with the batch of petitions seeking probe into Pegasus surveillance .

“We will hear this along with other similar matters. Issue notice. List on August 25,” the CJI Ramana ordered.

Describing as “unconstitutional” the setting up of the Justice Lokur Commission of Inquiry by the West Bengal government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta offered to assist the court on the issue.

“It (Commission of Inquiry) is unconstitutional is all I can say,” SG told the court.

Justice Surya Kant said that the Justice Lokur Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was only taking “preliminary steps” as court declined plea by advocate Saurabha Mishra for the stay of the proceedings before the CoI as the issue is being examined by the top court at panIndia level.